Ellison v Queensland Police Service [2006] QDC 125

1 [2006] QDC 125 DISTRICT COURT CIVIL JURISDICTION JUDGE ROBIN QC No 975 of 2006 PETER LAWRENCE ELLISON Applicant and QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE Respondent BRISBANE ..DATE 28/04/2006 ORDER CATCHWORDS: Removal of five year disqualification (forming part of a sentence) which still had five months to run under s 131(2C) of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 - application based on need for transport to rehabilitation services for a supervening work injury - no opposition from Police Service WARNING: The publication of information or details likely to lead to the identification of persons in some proceedings is a criminal offence. This is so particularly in relation to the identification of children who are involved in criminal proceedings or proceedings for their protection under the Child Protection Act 1999, and complainants in criminal sexual offences, but is not limited to those categories. You may wish to seek legal advice before giving others access to the details of any person named in these proceedings. -- 1 of 3 -- 28042006 T5/JNR3 M/T CMS47/2006 (Robin DCJ) 2 ORDER 1 10 20 30 40 50 60 HIS HONOUR: This is an application by Mr Ellison under section 131 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 for removal of a disqualification of five years from holding or obtaining a driver's licence included in a sentence by Judge Healy QC on the 24th of September 2001. The sentence was a severe one otherwise of three years' imprisonment, suspended after 12 months had been served, for an operational period of three years. That is unsurprising, given the grievous bodily harm caused to a person by Mr Ellison's driving, which came on top of a bad traffic history, at a time when his abilities were impaired by the ingestion of cannabis. Although Mr Ellison's affidavit makes the point that a period of five years from the accident has elapsed, the Judge's intention was that there be a disqualification for a period of five years from the date of his order. That period has less than five months to run. The Court does not hear of any difficulty that Mr Ellison has caused the community during the operational period set by his Honour. If there had been opposition supported by evidence from the respondent to the making of the order sought I might have had misgivings about it in deference to Judge Healy's approach. Mr Ellison is fortunate in encountering a sympathetic attitude from the respondent. Ms Clarke indicates that the respondent makes no submissions and will abide the order of the Court. A licence is not required for work purposes, given that a lower back injury sustained at work and apparently the subject -- 2 of 3 -- 28042006 T5/JNR3 M/T CMS47/2006 (Robin DCJ) 3 ORDER 1 10 20 30 40 50 60 of a claim apparently precludes Mr Ellison from accepting employment, so that basis for enabling him to drive licensed does not exist. However, he requires the licence, on uncontested material, so that he can access various places where he engages in activities or receives treatment which, hopefully, will assist his rehabilitation. In the circumstances the Court will make an order under section 131(2C) of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 removing the disqualification ordered by Judge Healy QC on the 24th of September 2001 as from today. ----- -- 3 of 3 --